New Audio: Beach House Returns with a Moody and Shimmering B-Side

Since their formation in 2004, the Baltimore-based indie rock act Beach House, comprised of long-term local scene vets Victoria Legrand (organ, vocals) and Alex Scally (guitar, vocals), have released a handful of critically and commercially successful albums, including their last two efforts, Depression Cherry and Thank Your Lucky Stars, which were released two months after each other, back in 2015. Written and recorded within a roughly two-and-a-half year period between 2012 and 2014, both albums continue a long-term collaboration with co-producer Chris Coady while being closely related companion pieces or in other words, while separate, the two albums should be viewed in a very metaphorical sense as two sides of the same coin, as they build upon similar themes and overall sound — a decidedly sparse, atmospheric sound that subtly nodded at Mazzy Star and others.

Much like countless bands before them, Legrand and Scally have written and recorded a large number of songs throughout their career, some of which have been played live or released that for whatever reason just didn’t quite fit their album-based material. Of course, over the course of the past few years, some of those songs have been increasingly difficult to find and listen to, and to accommodate their fans — while providing insight into the band’s own creative and editorial process when it comes to their albums. So the band will be releasing B-Sides and Rarities, a 14 track compilation of songs that they’ve recorded and released that just didn’t make their albums, and two previously unreleased singles “Chariot” and “Baseball Diamond,” recorded during the Depression Cherry and Thank Your Lucky Stars sessions and much like the material off those albums, “Chariot,” the first single off the B-sides compilation is a slow-burning wisps of smoke with a hauntingly melancholy air, while subtly nodding at Purple Rain-era Prince.

 

The band is continuing a lengthy bit of touring and it includes sets at this year’s Governor’s Ball here in NYC. Check out tour dates below.

Tour Dates 

May 24 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre        

May 26 – Orlando, FL – Beacham Theatre

May 27 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – The Revolution

May 28 – Ponte Vedra, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall          

May 30 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre

May 31 – Knoxville, TN – Mill & Mine    

Jun. 02 – New York, NY – Governor’s Ball

Jun. 03 – New York, NY – Governor’s Ball

Jun. 04 – New York, NY – Governor’s Ball

Aug. 11 – Copenhagen, DK – Haven

Aug. 13 – Castelbuono, IT – Ypsigrock

Aug. 16 – Sestri Levante, IT – Mojotic Festival

Aug. 18 – Parades de Coura, PT – Parades de Coura Festival

Sep. 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl*

Sep. 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre*

Sep. 25 – Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Opera*

Sep. 27 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre*

*w/ Fleet Foxes